Police warn of strongarm robberies of women on Northwest Side

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Updated: February 1, 2012 6:30PM

Police on Wednesday warned Northwest Side residents, particularly in the Logan Square and Bucktown neighborhoods, that someone is robbing women walking alone in the late evening or early morning.

At least 16 strongarm robberies are being linked to robber. He usually approaches victims from behind and robs them of purses, money and cell phones, police said.

The boundaries of the attacks, which began Dec. 4, are Ashland to Central Park, and Division to Diversey.

The robber wears a gray- or brown hooded sweatshirt or black puffy coat, and may be driving a 1990s white 4-door Cadillac Deville.

The description released by police, however, was more wide-ranging and vague: a black man between 18 and 39, 150 to 180 pounds and 5-foot-8 to 6-foot-6.

Police urged women to walk in pairs in well-lit areas, don’t walk while using headphones and to be aware of their surroundings. Anyone with information should call detectives at (312) 746-8362.